Thursday, June 18, 2009

Southern Utah Trout Streams

This is a recent email exchange including a brief fishing report:

6-11-09
Hi Dave,
I will be fishing with my son in the Antimony (Otter Creek Reservoir) area starting on June 12. I'd appreciate your time and recommendations on which streams have good fishing now. How is the East Fork of the Sevier River (Kingston or Black Canyon) looking? What about some of the streams near Fish Lake?

Thanks for your time.
Regards,
Mike Z


Mike:
Runoff is just ending and so streams in that area will be high but they should be fishable. We've been getting rain many days - if it rains hard they may become muddy and that would interfere with fishing success.

The East Fork should fish well in both Black Canyon and Kingston Canyon. Kingston Canyon has a lot of private property with restricted access, but there are a few spots where you can get on and find nice fish.

Black Canyon is overgrown and rugged, but that helps keep the fishing good. It amazingly big holes where fish are often deep. If you are fly fishing it can be a challenge casting in thick brush and getting down to the fish.

Antimony Creek comes in just south of town. If you follow it up into the forest it usually offers fast fishing for mostly small trout.

Two small streams in the Fish Lake area are usually good, again for small trout. They are Sevenmile Creek above Johnson Reservoir and UM Creek above Forsyth Reservoir. They are beautiful streams.

The Fremont River below Johnson Reservoir also offers good action. It flows in and out of private property but can be quite good where access is available. Up high the fish are mostly small but there are some nice sized browns lower down.

Good luck on your trip.
Dave


6-18-09
Dave, Thanks for taking the time to respond. We fished most of the areas you mentioned and the fishing was excellent.
Mike

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Lake Powell Trip Report

-- See our latest fishing report.

-- Read our Lake Powell fishing articles.

When you go to Lake Powell, what's more important than catching fish?

Well, perhaps building relationships.

I enjoyed a great trip to Powell last weekend and but I didn't even fish. That is a little bit sad, because fishing is hot down there right now, but it just means I'll have to go back in a week or two, before the fish frenzy ends.

My son, Dan, went and joined the Army Reserves. He heads off to basic training in a couple weeks. After basic, who knows where he will be. He has always loved Powell and so I wanted to give him one more trip before he goes.

Dan's wife, Jenny, came along and she is quite pregnant. Son Aaron and his pregnant wife Rebecca were also there, along with their 2.5-year-old daughter Katie. The wives and Katie had never been to the lake and so we elected to go sight seeing, hitting some of my favorite spots while avoiding long boat rides, rough water and excessive exposure to the sun.

We boated through scenic canyons, pulled people - slowly - on a play tube and enjoyed being on the lake. Katie had great fun chasing lizards. Most of us did get sunburned and I think everyone had fun. It was a great trip to build relationships.

When I go to Powell I normally camp on the beach, sleeping near places I want to fish. That provides a great advantage because the best fishing usually occurs during the early morning and late evening hours. If you have to boat from one of the marinas, you often miss great action.

This time we stayed in the developed campground at Bullfrog. It is very nice, with flush toilets and other modern facilities. During warm weather the campground is like a small city, meaning you have to put up with neighbors with dogs and loud music, but it worked out well this time.

In a couple weeks I'll do a serious Lake Powell fishing trip. I might even go down there Memorial Day weekend. That weekend is crazy on the lake, with boats and people and confusion. But the Hite area will be serene - meaning it won't have very many people - because there are limited facilities, you have to launch on an old road bed, and the water there is muddy because of runoff coming down the Colorado River.

But Hite is the closest launch point to some of the best fishing on the lake. I'll probably launch at Hite and boat down-lake toward Good Hope Bay. I'll get down past the muddy water and then camp on the beach - away from the crowds.

Bass fishing is very good right now lake-wide, and some of the best fish are being caught on broken rock in the Good Hope area. Stripers are also coming on and some nice fish will be caught trolling near the mud line (the spot where muddy river water gives way to clear lake water).

With that strategy I can enjoy a nice trip, even over the popular holiday weekend.

- Dave

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Lake Powell then Boot Camp

The upcoming weekend looks perfect and so I'm heading to Lake Powell. I'll do a little fishing, a little sight seeing, plus relax and enjoy time with family.

My son, Dan, joined the Army - he heads to basic training in a couple weeks. He loves Powell and so we decided get him down there once more before he ships out.

Dan's wife, Jenny, will be coming - her first trip to the lake. They are pregnant, some 6.5 months along, so we will be taking it easy - hunting calm water.

Fishing should be superb. There will be a full moon, and that can interfere with fishing during the morning hours, but I don't think it will constrain things at this time of year. It will be beautiful camping out under that moon.

I normally camp on a beach away from the marinas - nothing better than having a remote canyon all to yourself, where you can't hear or see other humans. But this time I've elected to stay in the developed campground at Bullfrog - close to the restrooms.

My boat is running well. Had to rebuild the axle on the trailer - hope they welded the spindle on straight. The spindle is the part the wheel bearings ride on, so it holds the wheel on. Last time I towed the boat a set of bearings burned out and ruined the existing spindle. I wanted to replace the entire axle but couldn't find one that fit my boat. So I had a shop rebuild the old one. Cross your fingers.

My recreational habits are a bit streaky. For the past couple years I've been into canyon hiking, doing more of that than fishing. I think this is the year for Lake Powell. Oh, I'll do a few hikes, but I hope to get down to Powell 4-5 times. I'll buy an annual pass, so friends and family members should encourage me to use it.

I'll try to send a few Twitter messages to report from the lake. Follow me on Twitter.
- Dave

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Hiking to Heaven

Why do I hike? Why do I fish? I throw countless hours and dollars and miles at these activities - what do I get back?

I've been asked to speak to a group of engineers and I will try to convince them that hiking will improve their lives and help fix the world. The company they work for offers a monthly lunch where employees can eat free if they listen to a healthy lifestyle presentation. I get a free lunch out of the deal. Not bad.

So, why do I hike and fish? Guess I better work that out before Tuesday. Here's a start.

1. I enjoy it. I enjoy being out in nature - particularly in areas with great natural beauty.

2. It helps me stay sane. The serenity in nature helps me keep my life in perspective. The rhythmic actions provide a focus for my conscious mind but leave my unconscious free to process - to sort things out. If I don't get out of town at least once a month I start to go crazy.

3. It's healthy exercise.

4. It's good for families. Spending time together, communicating, having fun... It's good for parents to structure activities that promote those things.

5. It's good for the world. Don't stop with your own kids. Take your neighbors. Work with a Scout troop. Help other people's kids.

It's good when people learn to love and respect the nature world, and to work to restore nature's balance.

I do believe activities like hiking and fishing help people fix their lives and improve the world. Convinced?

Why do you hike and/or fish?

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Live where you play

With the economy picking up a bit, recreational property is starting to move. The little property marketplace on my website has been getting quite a lot of use, both from people posting properties and from potential buyers. It is turning into a good service.

I'm particularly interested in property near fishing waters. Here are a few recent posts I found tempting.

160 acres Near Yost, UT - This mountain property includes a small trout stream, complete with a good population of cutthroat trout. It is located in extreme NW Utah, in a secluded area surrounded by the Sawtooth National Forest.

2.05 Acres in Causey Estates - Above Causey Reservoir, east of Ogden. Causey is a beautiful little reservoir full of rainbows, splake and kokanee.

Strawberry Cabin - This is an existing cabin in the Bryants Fork area at Strawberry Reservoir.

There are plenty more, all around the region. Check em out.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Twitter Reports Are Working

My new service that filters Twitter to pull up relevant messages seems to be working well. Not many people are posting messages yet but the season is still young.

Right now I have pages displaying messages for these waters:
- Lake Powell
- Strawberry
- Green River
- Provo River
- Willard Bay
- Utah Lake

When I post an update it appears on the page within a matter of seconds. I can post by just sending a text message from my cell phone, so it is easy.

The filter looks for key words. For example, any message including "Lake Powell" will appear on the Lake Powell page. It isn't perfect, some extraneous messages get through. But over all, it works well.

If several of us post messages while we are out fishing, we will have a valuable service that is almost real time. See my previous post for more info.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Real-Time Fishing Updates Via Twitter

Do you twitter? I've signed on and started to experiment to see how to use it to advantage. You can see my messages here.

I've learned to filter twitter to pull out messages on specific topics, and embed those messages into pages on my website. Right now I'm embedding filtered messages into these pages:
- Lake Powell
- Willard Bay
- Utah Lake

The interesting thing about twitter is you can send updates from a cell phone or satellite phone. So if people send good info about their trips, we can have almost-real-time updates on fishing at particular waters. That could be cool.

At Lake Powell I get cell coverage in a few spots. With one of Russ Smith's satellite phones I could send from almost anywhere. So, I might send a series of messages like this.

#1 - Just arrived at Lake Powell, Bullfrog, waiting to launch.

#2 - We're cruising up Lake Powell, heading toward Red Canyon.

# 3 - Marked a huge school of stripers at Lake Powell, in a small canyon off Good Hope. Slowing down to troll.

#4 - Lake Powell Good Hope Bay, Shad Rap hasn't worked, changing to a Wally Diver.

#5 - Bingo. We had simultaneous striper hookups at Lake Powell, Good Hope, trolling Walley Divers down about 20 feet.

#6 - Help. Just ran out of gas at Lake Powell. Help?

Every message has to include the phrase "Lake Powell" to be picked up and displayed on my Lake Powell Twitter page. Other messages including that phrase will also be displayed, intermixed with mine. If we get several people posting, it could be a very good service.

I'll try it and see how it works. I'm always interested in comments and suggestions.

- Dave

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Kolob Arch on One Leg

kolob archWeather was perfect Saturday (3-28-09), so I hiked to Kolob Arch in the Zion National Park backcountry. It was a great hike through beautiful country, to an impressive natural arch.

(Also see our our photos and video clip.)

I went in on two legs, but only had one good leg for the hike out. I was looking for photo opts instead of watching the trail. I slipped while crossing a steep slope and fell hard, twisting my right ankle, when we were near the top of a rugged canyon just below the arch. I could barely stand up, let alone walk, but I bravely started the long trek back to the truck. What else could I do? The pain was intense and for a time I thought maybe my hiking career was over - that I'd have to start spending my spare time fishing from my boat.

With considerable exertion, I found I could scoot and crab-walk over obstacles and then hobble up the more level portions of the trail. After a couple miles I actually started to feel a little better, when the ankle limbered up a bit and the Ibuprofen kicked in. I made it out without any further problems.

I'm already noticing daily improvement so I'll probably be out hiking again in 2-3 weeks. That's good because there are a couple more major hikes on my spring agenda. (Just fun little outings like Buckskin Gulch and Dark Canyon.)

It's 6.5 miles to the viewpoint below the arch, from the Lees Pass Trailhead in the Kolob Canyons area of Zion Park. It is a moderate hike along well-defined trails that follow Timber Creek and then La Verkin Creek into the backcountry. A side canyon forks from La Verkin Creek and you follow it for about 1/2 mile up to a viewpoint below the arch.

From the trailhead you drop quickly to Timber Creek, and that means you face a steep uphill climb at the very end of your return trip, most commonly experienced during the afternoon when the sun is hot. The trail is mostly flat along La Verkin Creek. You trudge through some sand but it is relatively easy going. The side canyon that you follow from La Verkin Creek up to the arch is steep and full of big rocks, so that leg requires some scrambling.

All in all, I'd rate the route as moderate, although the National Park Service has it as strenuous.

Another option is to start on Kolob Terrace and hike down Hop Valley to La Verkin Creek, down La Verkin Creek, up the side canyon, up the side canyon to the arch, and down La Verkin Creek so you can end at Lees Pass. That route is about 14.5 miles one-way and requires a vehicle shuttle.

We did it as a day hike - taking about 7.5 hours, even with the sprained ankle. Many people do it as an overnight backpack. There are excellent formally designated camping sites along the trail. Day hikers don't need any special pass, but backpackers much get an overnight permit. The permits go fast so plan ahead if you want to backpack.

Water is abundant along the route, but you need to filter or treat it. La Verkin Creek was running high and muddy, and wasn't appealing. After runoff it will be much cleaner. It does offer several very nice swimming holes. Timber Creek and the small stream the comes down the side canyon below the arch both offer clear, cold water.

Kolob was long though to be the largest natural arch in the world, but recent measurements show its span is slightly smaller than Landscape Arch. So, Kolob has been bumped to number two.

The arch is a spectacular sight - definitely worth seeing. But the entire route is enjoyable, with classic Zion Park scenery.

This is a backcountry area - one of the most park's most popular backcountry areas - so plan on seeing people along the route. Spring and fall are ideal times to hike. Temps are very hot in July and August.

You cross Timber Creek multiple times, but it is small and easy to rock hop with dry boots. Unless you have a sprained ankle, and then rock hopping becomes torturous. I suspect the hike is more enjoyable when you have two good legs.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Room With A View In Monument Valley

Travelers now have the option of staying right in Monument Valley, in a new hotel located right at the Navajo Tribal Park. The hotel is called The View and it offers the only lodging available right in the valley.

The new hotel is described in this St Louis Post-Dispatch article. Apparently many people find the article interesting because it is now being reprinted by many new organizations. Below are excerpts.

The View Hotel looks out on one of the most spectacular vistas in the Southwest, the red-rock monoliths rising from the desert floor of Monument Valley. The hotel is the only lodging inside the valley, which straddles the Utah-Arizona border on reservation lands. Each balcony at the hotel frames three of the most famous of the formations, the two Mittens and Merrick Butte.

The enchanting landscape is one of the most photographed in America, and not just by tourists. Visitors to the valley some 60 years ago could have watched John Wayne chase Indians for the filming of John Ford's epic westerns.
Fifteen years ago, you could have seen Forrest Gump stop running.

The Ortega family, Navajos with a longtime reputation as entrepreneurs, built The View Hotel and pay a guest tax to the tribe. The hotel is an effort by the Navajo to bring jobs and visitors to their land. The Hopi, whose reservation is surrounded by the Navajo Nation, also are increasing tours of their villages and building their own hotel in Tuba City.

Harold Simpson, 42, is a Navajo who was born and reared in Monument Valley and now owns a company that gives driving tours of the tribal lands, including areas that are off limits without a guide. "That's our sandbox out there," Simpson said, as his brother, Richard Frank, drove a van over the rutted red-dirt road. "We played in the rocks, climbed in the sand dunes. I was the cowboy, he was the Indian."

Simpson welcomed the opening of The View as a boost to his business.

"We get about 300,000 visitors a year — the Grand Canyon gets into the millions, but that's too much, too overcrowded," he said. "They built the hotel on the perfect spot. Environmentally, they've tried to do the right thing with it. Visitors didn't have a lot of choices out here. Most people would drive in for the day and move on.

"The hotel is a good thing. Monument Valley is a special place. It's home, for us."

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Grand Gulch Then and Now

My Icebreaker Backpacking Trip


grand gulch jailhouse ruin

grand gulch grindstone

Perfect Kiva Ruin

grand gulch pottery shards

grand gulch artifacts lost


(See more photos from this trip)

I pushed the season and enjoyed a great backpacking trip into Grand Gulch last weekend. We went in on Feb 27 - I think that's the earliest I've ever backpacked in Utah. We encountered a little ice and snow in spots, but not enough to cause problems. And we had the canyon's ancient ruins all to ourselves.

Grand Gulch is a beautiful canyon - it would be worth hiking there just to see the scenery. The big attractions are the many Anasazi (Ancestral Puebloan) archaeological sites. I'm fascinated by the sites and enjoy searching them out.

The Anasazi culture thrived in the Four Corners area some 1,000 years ago. The people formed large communities and built impressive rock structures in the area's rugged canyons. They also left interesting rock art.

You can see impressive Anasazi structures in many places in SW Utah along roadsides or at the end of short hikes. Why would someone want to put in the effort to backpack?

Well, I'm one of those crazy people who enjoy backpacking - getting away from civilization. Grand Gulch is pristine. As you drop down into the gorge you walk away from our modern world. There is no litter in the canyon - not a candy wrapper or coke can. No human sounds save our light footsteps. When the sunsets and the stars come out, they are unbelievably bright. It is a great experience in one of the few places you can still find solitude.

There are usually a few other people in the canyon. You have to obtain permits to hike or backpack there and the number of visitors is controlled to ensure a quality experience. If you want to go, get permits well in advance.

In Grand Gulch, most of the ancient sites still contain artifacts, and that adds to the interest. There are pottery shards everywhere. There are also ancient corncobs and grindstones and other items. More accessible sites have been stripped of artifacts - the stone walls and rock art remain but everything else has been hauled away by vandals.

It has been about 10 years now since my first pilgrimage into Grand Gulch. On this trip I intentionally retraced my original steps and photographed some of the same sites I had visited back then. I was curious to compare photos and see how much had changed during that time span.

Unfortunately, I have to report that I could not find some of the interesting artifacts I photographed 10 years ago. At one site, known as Perfect Kiva Ruin, my old photos show braided cords and a ceramic jug handle, but those items were not to be found.

There were impressive piles of pottery shards, but apparently not the same shards I saw 10 years ago. Every time the wind blows more shards are uncovered. Unfortunately, it appears that some hikers are taking them home. That is illegal and immoral and dastardly, but it appears to be happening.

These sites are fragile. At one point, grave robbers were the biggest threat to their survival. Robbers would bring in equipment and pound sites into rubble, searching for valuable items they could sell. Authorities have cracked down and that kind of activity in now rare. Now the biggest danger comes from respectful hikers, fascinated by the artifacts, who can't resist handling them and taking the pretty ones home.

I'll go back in 10 years and, hopefully, there will still be shards on the ground.
On this trip we took our time, pushed into rugged side canyons, and saw more ruins than I've seen on any of my previous trips. We also saw far more rock art on this trip.

We went in from the Bullet Canyon Trailhead and camped down near Perfect Kiva. From there we hiked and explored, and then returned up Bullet Canyon to our vehicle.
I had hoped to hike down to the Big Man rock art panel, about 9 miles below the junction of Bullet Canyon and Grand Gulch. Unfortunately, time did not allow for that excursion. I hope to get back down there within a few weeks and search that out.

The hiking/backpacking season is just getting started. The ice and snow we encountered with probably be gone within a week or so. Daytime temperatures were nice - perfect for hiking. Nights were cold, but we were prepared for that.

Temperatures will moderate quickly now. March, April and May are ideal months to hike Utah's desert canyons. Summers are very hot and hiking activity wanes. Activity picks up again as temperatures cool in fall.

Grand Gulch is one of my favorites. I recommend it.

- Dave Webb

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Early Backpack into Grand Gulch

grand gulch artifactsI'll be backpacking into Grand Gulch this weekend, taking advantage of the marvelous spring-like weather we are enjoying.

It is a little early in the season for such a backpack - so, I'm being cautious. As a sign that I'm getting old, I actually called the BLM ranger down there and asked about conditions. He said we shouldn't have any problem. Perhaps a little snow in shady areas, and some mud, but very nice conditions overall.

My purpose for this trip is to get photos and video that represent the Grand Gulch backpack experience. They will go on my site, and probably also on utah.com. So, I'll be working while I enjoy one of the best backpacking destinations on earth.

I plan to visit Perfect Kiva Ruin. I have photos of artifacts I took there about 10 years ago. It will be interesting to compare and see if any of those artifacts are still there.

The "normal" backpack route is down Kane Gulch, from the ranger station, and then out Bullet Canyon. That's about 23 miles and we would need two vehicles. Could do it in two days but three would be more comfortable.

We will probably focus on ruins near the junction of Bullet Canyon and Grand Gulch, going in and out Bullet. That is about 14 miles round trip from the trailhead to the junction and back. So, one night in the canyon will be sufficient.

That will give me a chance to day hike to another destination - probably the Big Man rock art panel. It is in Grand Gulch, about 9 miles below the Bullet Canyon Junction. The best way to see it is by coming into Grand Gulch via the Government Trail along Pollys Canyon. It's only about 10 miles round trip.

My buddies at KSL Radio want me to pack in a satellite phone so I can call the outdoors program Saturday morning. I suppose I will. With the phone and my camera gear, I'll be carrying about 20 pounds of electronic on top of my normal gear.

Should be a fun trip.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Lower Lower Provo

Provo River BrownMy first fly fishing trip of the year proved to be a comedy, frustrating, but still fun.

We chose to fish the Lower Lower Provo (the section between Bridal Veil Falls and the mouth of the canyon). That portion of the river doesn't get much respect, doesn't attract nearly as many fishermen, and I was out to prove it is home to a good number of nice brown trout.

Down there the number of fish per mile isn't as high as on the famous fly and lure only section, and there aren't as many big fish, but it can offer decent action without the crowds found upstream. I've fished the canyon mouth several times and had good trips.

But this time the comedy hit quickly, as started to get into my gear. It seems that I've put on a few pounds since I last used my waders. They were tight - very tight. I squirmed in and waddled down to the stream, vowing to start walking off winter flab.

When I opened my fly box I discovered that all of my nymphs were missing. All of them. I have no idea where they went. My daughter probably "organized" my stuff for me.

Nothing was happening on the surface and so I tied on a black woolly bugger. No go. I found a glo bug and tried it, without success. A hares ear, pheasant tail or sow bug might have enticed fish. Without them, my fly rod was not an effective tool.

My companion Kevin, bouncing worms along the bottom, caught several nice fish. The biggest was about 14.5 inches. Not great but respectable.

I love to use the fly rod but I'm not a purist. If it isn't working, I'm happy to try something else. But I couldn't bring myself to use worms. I fished a Rapala for a few minutes and a 10-inch brown kept the skunk away.

A chilly wind blew off and on. When the wind died down the air felt almost warm and conditions weren't bad

So, I survived the ice-breaker trip. I'll get out again within a week or two, and I'll make sure I have my stuff together.

- Dave

Monday, February 16, 2009

Snow Geese Expected At Delta Festival

Snow Goose FestivalI've been doing website development work for Millard County Travel. Among other things, I've posted two video clips showing the annual Snow Goose Festival, which takes place every year during the last part of February. This year it is scheduled to run Feb 20-21.

The geese put on a pretty good show every year. They are remarkable consistent, with some 10,000 birds stopping over as they migrate north. DWR partners with Millard County to host the festival, which has become one of Utah's most popular wildlife viewing events.

DWR has spotting scopes so people can watch the birds as they rest on Gunnison Bend Reservoir, and as they forage in nearby fields.

The video clips are pretty impressive. They were shot for the Roughin It Outdoors TV show. I pulled them from a DVD and snipped out the pertinent segments.

Go to Millard's Snow Goose page for more info on the festival. That page also has links to the video clips. DWR also has info on the festival. See it here.

The same DVD has great video showing the Amasa Basin ATV trail in the west desert. Millard wants me to pull it off and put it on their website. I'll get that done during the next few days.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Share Your Insights As I Work To Improve My FishBytes Fishing Report

I have several projects in the works to improve my weekly FishBytes report. People seem to like the report and so I'm investing considerable time to make it more interesting and informative.

A key improvement, just completed, allows readers to easily submit comments and share insights related to fishing report and outdoor news. I can't do it all myself. If a few knowledgeable readers will share their insights, we can vastly improve the quality of the report.

Comments from readers now appear down the left side of the FishBytes page. It is very easy to post comments. The comments are immediately displayed on the page. I hope we can post new, interesting material every day, so people can read it while it is fresh, instead of having to wait until Thursday evening when I compile the complete report.

I've also just completed other website improvements. Here are two that seem significant.

1. Alphabetical index of fishing waters has been moved to the main fishing page. That should make it easier to find info about waters throughout Utah.

2. I've added a page describing southern Utah wild trout streams, using info provided by the DWR. These are small waters and perhaps most don't justify full sections on the website. In fact, I really don't want to focus too much attention on any one of them. But I love to fish these waters, and I know others share that interest, so I've made basic info easier to find.

3. I've also added a map-based navigation option to the home page, making it easy to go quickly to major sections of the website. I still need to tweak that, and add more info about some places, but the basic concept is already functional.

The number of people visiting this site is skyrocketing. User sessions are up more than 100% over last year. Month to month grown is very strong, despite the fact that this is generally considered to be a slow time of year.

People seem to like to site and so I'm working hard to improve it.

- Dave

Friday, February 06, 2009

Rattlesnake Attacks Bass Boat

rattlesnakeI stumbled across this interesting video on BassFan.com. It shows a big rattlesnake swimming right toward a couple guys fishing from a bass boat. The snake is coming right at them, and it is big.

What would you do?

Rattlers do swim. It's not uncommon to see them swim across streams. This one was quite a ways from shore, swimming like a pro.

In my view, many people have unreasonable fear of snakes. Under normal circumstances rattlesnakes try to get away from humans, they only strike if they are cornered and harassed. They can't strike from much of a distance and they can't chase you down.

In this video shows the snake is coming right at the boat, and it keeps coming back even when they try to chase it away by hitting with their rods. Bass boats sit low on the water and the big snake might have been able to climb aboard.

The snake coils in the water and prepares to defend itself. It is very persistent and never backs down.

What would I do? I'd watch it with great curiosity. After I saw how persistent it was I would start my motor and move to a different fishing spot.

Some people would become obsessed with the snake and try to kill it. That's sad. There is no reason to harm the snake in those circumstances. The snake was in its environment--its home. The fishermen were the intruders. The fishermen could easily get away, at any time.

I live in a city and I don't want rattlesnakes in my back yard. I grew up in the country and we encountered rattlers on a regular basis. Basically, if we left them alone they left us alone.

Occasionally one would come in under the house, chasing mice or something. We considered that a problem and took action. But out in the fields, there's no need to harm them.

Snakes play an important part in an area's ecosystem. They are living creatures and deserve respect. I would happily yield my fishing spot to the snake.

- Dave

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Planning For Adventure...

grand gulch artifactsI keep my schedule as flexible as possible, so I can take advantage of opportunities as they develop. That's particularly true during spring and fall, when storms can ruin the best-planned trips. The flip side is also true--periods of dry, mild weather can produce amazingly nice conditions for hiking and backpacking--sometimes too nice to resist.

Fish behave in predictable ways and it is easy to predict angling success during particular time frames. For example, walleye in Utah Lake will begin to spawn in late March or early April. It's more difficult to predict what weekends will bring peak action. I try to stay flexible so I can be there for the frenzy, no matter when it occurs.

That said, some adventures have to be schedule in advance. I'll be backpacking Grand Gulch this spring and permits there have to be worked out well in advance. Next fall I'll be floating the San Juan River between Mexican Hat and Lake Powell--if I can get permits the needed permits.

I try to take one major trip a month and then patch in 2-3 minor fishing or hiking trips. Below I list my dream list of major adventures for this season. I never actually go on all the trips I plan, but I do most of them. And, because I'm flexible, I swap in others as I learn about great opportunities.
- Fish Lees Ferry below Glen Canyon Dam
- Fish Lake Powell 2-3 times
- Fish Flaming Gorge 1-2 times
- Fish Green River 2-3 times
- Fish/Backpack in the Uintas 1-2 times
- Fish/Backpack Boulder Mountain
- Backpack Grand Gulch
- Backpack Dark Canyon
- Hike The Maze to the Harvest Scene

I consider those pretty major trips because they take 2 or more days. Below I list some day trips, which I consider to be minor outings.
- Fish Strawberry 8-10 times
- Fish Provo River 4-5 times
- Small stream fishing - numerous trips
- Desert camping/hiking - numerous trips

I usually take people with my on my trips--mostly family or buddies. But I go on more trips than my associates can handle and so I sometimes go looking for companions. Let me know if you are interested in any of the trips on my list--maybe we can join forces.

- Dave

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Quagga Mussels Found in Red Fleet Reservoir

(DWR provided the news release below)

Quagga Mussels Found in Red Fleet Reservoir

DWR continues to receive test results

Laboratories in Colorado are still testing water samples taken from 38 lakes and reservoirs in Utah in 2008.

The lab workers are searching for tiny, destructive organisms called quagga mussels and zebra mussels.

Their testing is almost done. And so far, the results the Division of Wildlife Resources has received are encouraging--most of the waters tested do not appear to have mussels in them.

Mussels found in two waters
Mussels have turned up in two waters, however--Electric Lake in central Utah and another water just added to the list, Red Fleet Reservoir.

Red Fleet is about seven miles north of Vernal.

"So far, all of the mussels found have been very small juveniles," says Walt Donaldson, Aquatic Section chief for the DWR.

"That’s a sign that the mussels may not be well established in these two waters yet."

Learn more
You can learn more about mussels--including the damage they can do and what you can do to prevent spreading them--at the DWR's new mussel Web site.

The Web site address is wildlife.utah.gov/mussels.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Are Fishing Shows on TV the Next Hot Commodity?

This article in USA Weekend says fishing shows are hot and getting hotter. I wouldn't know because I don’t watch them. Do you? I'm interested in get comments on this.

Below are excerpts from the article.

Like golf and auto racing before it, sportfishing has quietly become one of the hottest sports out there -- both out on the water and on TV.

"People who don't even fish tell me that their kids are watching me on Saturday morning," says Ish Monroe, 34, an angler who has his own ESPN2 series, "Yo, Ish!" ... It's not uncommon to find Monroe playing hip-hop, trash-talking his prey and showing off the snazzy 20-inch rims on his boat trailer.

Such antics are luring viewers to the action, including the "Super Bowl" of sportfishing, the annual Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City, La. The event, airing on ESPN2 starting Feb. 21, will feature the wiliest fishermen in the land -- and one fisherwoman -- 2008 women's Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Kim Bain-Moore, 28. She will be the first female angler ever in the 51-person field vying for the top prize of $500,000.

What do you think? Will trash talking fishing hosts hook you? Are you into fish TV?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bald Eagle Day is Feb. 7 and Feb. 14

(DWR provided the news release given below.)

See Bald Eagles

Bald Eagle Day is Feb. 7 and Feb. 14


If you've ever seen a bald eagle in the wild, you know it's an experience that can take your breath away.

In February, you'll have two chances to not only see bald eagles, but to learn more about them.

The Division of Wildlife Resources is holding its annual Utah Bald Eagle Day.

The event will be held on two different Saturdays. On Feb. 7, eagle viewing will take place at sites in central, northeastern and southwestern Utah. On the following Saturday, Feb. 14, Utah Bald Eagle Day will be celebrated at two sites in northern Utah.

There is no cost to attend Bald Eagle Day. Viewing times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area site, where viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Feb. 7, you can view eagles at the following locations:

Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery, located east of Nephi. If coming from the north, take I-15 and exit the freeway at the second Nephi exit (Exit 225). After exiting the freeway, turn east on SR-132 and travel about 10 miles. About 1 mile before the city of Fountain Green, a Bald Eagle Day sign will point you to an access road that leads to the hatchery.

Once you reach the hatchery, you'll be given a driving map of the Sanpete Valley that highlights the best areas in the valley to view eagles. Literature, displays and bathroom facilities will also be available at the hatchery. If eagles are near the hatchery, Division of Wildlife Resources staff will set up spotting scopes so you can view them. Spotting scopes will also be set-up at a viewing location about one mile from the hatchery.

Split Mountain/Green River, located north of Jensen and below the Dinosaur Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument (DNM). To reach the site, drive north from Highway 40 in Jensen on the road (SR-149) to the Dinosaur Quarry. Your first stop should be at the staging area located just inside the DNM boundary where displays, spotting scopes and possibly bald eagles and other raptors await. From the staging area, biologists will direct you to other sites where you may have better views of eagles and other wildlife of interest. In past years, visitors have seen bald and golden eagles hunting and feeding, as well as prairie falcons, hawks, mule deer, river otters, pheasants, turkeys, sandhill cranes, porcupines, mergansers, Canada geese and other wildlife.

During your trip, you may also want to stop and visit the Dinosaur National Monument. The monument's dinosaur quarry is closed, but you can see a few dinosaur bones at a temporary visitor center near the quarry. The visitor center also includes a small bookstore.

Rush Lake Ranch, located on the Minersville highway (SR-130) about 12 miles north of Cedar City.

On Feb. 14, viewing will take place at the following locations:

Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area (Compton's Knoll), located about 10 miles northwest of Corinne. To reach the WMA, take Exit 365 off of I-15 and travel west on SR-83 through Corinne. Stay on SR-83 until you get to 6800 W. (Iowa String). Travel north to 6800 N. Travel west on 6800 N. until you reach the Salt Creek WMA/Compton's Knoll Watchable Wildlife site.

Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, located on the west side of Farmington at 1325 W. Glover Lane (925 South).

If you're traveling north on I-15, coming from Salt Lake City and other areas south of Farmington:

To reach the WMA, travel north on I-15, and exit the freeway at Exit 325. Turn left on Park Lane and travel west. The road will angle to the south, and you'll come to Clark Lane at the first traffic light. Turn right. Travel west to the first stop sign, which is at 1525 West, and turn left. Travel south to Glover Lane, and turn right. Travel west on Glover Lane for about two blocks until you come to 1700 W. Turn left on 1700 W. and travel south to the Great Salt Lake Nature Center. You can park in the parking lot.

If you're traveling south on I-15, coming from Ogden and other areas north of Farmington:

To reach the WMA, travel south on I-15 and exit the freeway at Exit 325. Go to the stoplight and turn right on Park Lane. Travel south to the next light, which is at Clark Lane, and turn right. Travel west to the first stop sign, which is at 1525 West, and turn left. Travel south to Glover Lane, and turn right. Travel west on Glover Lane for about two blocks until you come to 1700 W. Turn left on 1700 W. and travel south to the Great Salt Lake Nature Center. You can park in the parking lot.

If you attend the event at Farmington Bay, you may want to drop by the Great Salt Lake Nature Center at the north end of the WMA. In addition to participating in fun activities, you can learn more about becoming a volunteer at the WMA. Volunteers lead birding tours and help with other projects.

Get a close look
"We'll set spotting scopes up at each viewing site so you can get a good look at the eagles," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the DWR. "Biologists and volunteers will also be on hand to help you spot the eagles and to answer any questions you have."

Information about bald eagles, and wildlife watching and birding opportunities in Utah, will be available at each location. You can get the materials for free, or for a small cost.

The best time to attend
The best time to see eagles on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 depends on two things.
If you want to attend during the warmest time of the day, attend late in the morning or early in the afternoon. "The warmer temperatures are especially important if you bring young children with you," Walters says.

Late morning and early afternoon is also the clearest time of the day to see the eagles.

If you want to see the greatest number of eagles, attend between 2 and 4 p.m. "In mid-afternoon, the eagles start flying to trees to roost for the night," Walters says. "If you want to see the greatest number of eagles, mid to late afternoon is usually the best time to attend."

Items to bring
If you attend Bald Eagle Day, dress in warm clothes and bring waterproof boots. Also, if you want to get pictures of the eagles, bring a telephoto lens.

"The eagles will be some distance from the viewing areas," Walters says. "In the past, we've had photographers try and get close to the eagles. They ended up scaring the eagles away."

Utah's most popular viewing event
Walters started Bald Eagle Day in 1990 as a way to introduce people to Utah's wildlife. "Bald Eagle Day was started as a way to arouse people's interest, whet their appetite and make them aware of the wildlife around them," Walters says.

Since it began, Bald Eagle Day has become Utah's most well attended, and one of its most enjoyed, wildlife-viewing events.

For more information about Bald Eagle Day, call Walters at (801) 538- 4771, or Division of Wildlife Resources offices in Ogden, Springville, Vernal or Cedar City.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Fishing Videos and Photo Galleries

Ice Fishing PineviewWe've posted an ice fishing video - you can see it here.

It is a good little video showing a kid fishing for perch at Pineview. The video is a little old - we've just now found time to get it edited and posted. It captures the fun of ice fishing - which is always more enjoyable when you help a kid actually catch fish.

Photos
I've been experimenting with different photo gallery techniques, for use on this and other websites. Here's an example of a new technique we may start using on utah.com. I think it looks nice and works well. Trouble is, the code conflicts with the dropdown menu at the top of each page on that website.

I put a similar gallery on my own business website, you can see it here. It works fine there - no conflicts.

I might use it on this site when I want to embed several photos into one page, but I don't think it will ever replace my big photo gallery, which now includes 2146 items.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

A Winter Wander Through the Joshua Trees

Joshua TreesSee more of my photos from this trip
- Beaver Dam Wash
- Warner Valley rock art
- Warner Valley dinosaur tracks
- Huge petrified logs

I was wandering more than hiking. When I hike I have a specific destination in mind. I hike to reach a lake or arch or some kind of attraction. But I wasn't out to reach any specific place as I wandered through a Joshua tree forest on the edge of Beaver Dam Wash, west of St George. I was just enjoying the warm sunshine and the area's interesting vegetation.

It was great to get out of the snow, get away from the frigid temperatures and haze found in northern Utah. It was a great way to start the new year.

It was Jan 2 and I was out to enjoy the warmest temperatures in the state, in an area where the Mojave Desert pushes up into Utah. I also took time to search out some St George-area rock art and some dinosaur tracks, and also found some huge petrified logs. It was a fun mid-winter adventure.

What is there to see in the Beaver Dam Wash area? Not much, unless you like cacti. The Joshua tree, trademark of the Mojave Desert, grows tall and proud along the wash. So do barrel and chollas cacti. The area is stark, desolate, remote, rugged... In short, it is my kind of country.

The Mojave is a high desert. In winter nights are usually cold and days are mild. It is probably close to 50 F today - perfect weather for hiking.

Joshua TreesBefore I-15 was pushed through the Virgin River Gorge, Old Highway 91 was the major route west from St George. Today it is a scenic backroad that crosses the Beaver Dam Mountains and dives into Utah's Mojave Country. A dirt track, called the Joshua Tree Road, loops below Hwy 91. In years past it wound through a beautiful Joshua tree forest, but vegetation in that area was destroyed by a major brush fire a few years ago and the desert is just starting to recover. Joshua trees are slow-growing and it will be many years before the forest returns.

We had to probe deeper into Mojave country to find substantial stands of Joshua trees. We drove the dirt Eardly Road and Indian Springs Trail along the east side of Beaver Dam Wash to get the photos that illustrate this report. Both roads have steep spots and we encountered plenty of mud. We definitely needed high-clearance 4-wheel-drive on our trip. During drier months a 4X4 may not be needed.

Most people don't visit southwestern Utah just to explore the Beaver Dam Wash area. You come to visit the National Parks or play golf. (February and March are ideal months to hit the links around St George, before they become crowded in April.) But I enjoy solitude and stark beauty and so I recommend the Beaver Dam Wash area as a pleasant day trip.

Note: There are no services - no gasoline, food or water - in the Beaver Dam Wash area of Utah. If you go, bring along a good map, emergency gear and plenty of food and water.